5 Electronics Stocks Driving The Industry Higher

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Two out of the three major indices are trading lower today with the Dow Jones Industrial Average ( ^DJI) trading down 14 points (-0.1%) at 15,098 as of Friday, Aug. 16, 2013, 12:55 PM ET. The NYSE advances/declines ratio sits at 1,393 issues advancing vs. 1,555 declining with 92 unchanged.

TheStreet would like to highlight 5 stocks pushing the industry higher today:

5. Corning ( GLW) is one of the companies pushing the Electronics industry higher today. As of noon trading, Corning is up $0.10 (0.7%) to $15.01 on average volume. Thus far, 4.3 million shares of Corning exchanged hands as compared to its average daily volume of 11.0 million shares. The stock has ranged in price between $14.84-$15.08 after having opened the day at $14.87 as compared to the previous trading day's close of $14.91.

Corning Incorporated produces and sells specialty glasses, ceramics, and related materials worldwide. It operates through five segments: Display Technologies, Telecommunications, Environmental Technologies, Specialty Materials, and Life Sciences. Corning has a market cap of $22.1 billion and is part of the technology sector. Shares are up 18.1% year to date as of the close of trading on Thursday. Currently there are 9 analysts that rate Corning a buy, 1 analyst rates it a sell, and 4 rate it a hold.

TheStreet Ratings rates Corning as a buy. The company's strengths can be seen in multiple areas, such as its revenue growth, largely solid financial position with reasonable debt levels by most measures, attractive valuation levels, expanding profit margins and solid stock price performance. We feel these strengths outweigh the fact that the company has had somewhat disappointing return on equity. Get the full Corning Ratings Report now.

4. As of noon trading, Applied Materials ( AMAT) is up $0.42 (2.8%) to $15.75 on heavy volume. Thus far, 19.5 million shares of Applied Materials exchanged hands as compared to its average daily volume of 12.9 million shares. The stock has ranged in price between $15.04-$16.06 after having opened the day at $15.22 as compared to the previous trading day's close of $15.32.

Applied Materials, Inc. provides manufacturing equipment, services, and software to the semiconductor, flat panel display, solar photovoltaic (PV), and related industries worldwide. Applied Materials has a market cap of $18.9 billion and is part of the technology sector. Shares are up 34.0% year to date as of the close of trading on Thursday. Currently there are 5 analysts that rate Applied Materials a buy, 2 analysts rate it a sell, and 6 rate it a hold.

TheStreet Ratings rates Applied Materials as a hold. The company's strengths can be seen in multiple areas, such as its solid stock price performance, largely solid financial position with reasonable debt levels by most measures and expanding profit margins. However, as a counter to these strengths, we also find weaknesses including deteriorating net income, disappointing return on equity and weak operating cash flow. Get the full Applied Materials Ratings Report now.

3. As of noon trading, Emerson Electric ( EMR) is up $0.37 (0.6%) to $61.25 on light volume. Thus far, 1.2 million shares of Emerson Electric exchanged hands as compared to its average daily volume of 3.3 million shares. The stock has ranged in price between $60.64-$61.47 after having opened the day at $60.67 as compared to the previous trading day's close of $60.88.

Emerson Electric Co., a diversified technology company, engages in designing and supplying products and technology, and providing engineering services and solutions to the industrial, commercial, and consumer markets worldwide. Emerson Electric has a market cap of $44.4 billion and is part of the technology sector. Shares are up 15.0% year to date as of the close of trading on Thursday. Currently there are 5 analysts that rate Emerson Electric a buy, no analysts rate it a sell, and 16 rate it a hold.

TheStreet Ratings rates Emerson Electric as a buy. The company's strengths can be seen in multiple areas, such as its largely solid financial position with reasonable debt levels by most measures, good cash flow from operations, expanding profit margins and solid stock price performance. We feel these strengths outweigh the fact that the company has had sub par growth in net income. Get the full Emerson Electric Ratings Report now.

2. As of noon trading, First Solar ( FSLR) is up $0.76 (2.0%) to $38.39 on average volume. Thus far, 2.6 million shares of First Solar exchanged hands as compared to its average daily volume of 6.4 million shares. The stock has ranged in price between $37.63-$38.57 after having opened the day at $37.70 as compared to the previous trading day's close of $37.63.

First Solar, Inc. provides solar energy solutions. It operates in two segments, Components and Systems. The Components segment engages in the design, manufacture, and sale of solar modules that convert sunlight into electricity. First Solar has a market cap of $3.8 billion and is part of the technology sector. Shares are up 22.0% year to date as of the close of trading on Thursday. Currently there are 3 analysts that rate First Solar a buy, 3 analysts rate it a sell, and 12 rate it a hold.

TheStreet Ratings rates First Solar as a hold. The company's strengths can be seen in multiple areas, such as its solid stock price performance, largely solid financial position with reasonable debt levels by most measures and reasonable valuation levels. However, as a counter to these strengths, we also find weaknesses including unimpressive growth in net income, weak operating cash flow and feeble growth in the company's earnings per share. Get the full First Solar Ratings Report now.

1. As of noon trading, Texas Instruments ( TXN) is up $0.22 (0.6%) to $38.87 on average volume. Thus far, 3.1 million shares of Texas Instruments exchanged hands as compared to its average daily volume of 7.6 million shares. The stock has ranged in price between $38.44-$39.05 after having opened the day at $38.63 as compared to the previous trading day's close of $38.65.

Texas Instruments Incorporated engages in the design, manufacture, sale of semiconductors to electronics designers and manufacturers worldwide. The company operates in four segments: Analog, Embedded Processing, Wireless, and Other. Texas Instruments has a market cap of $43.3 billion and is part of the technology sector. Shares are up 26.8% year to date as of the close of trading on Thursday. Currently there are 9 analysts that rate Texas Instruments a buy, 4 analysts rate it a sell, and 20 rate it a hold.

TheStreet Ratings rates Texas Instruments as a buy. The company's strengths can be seen in multiple areas, such as its solid stock price performance, compelling growth in net income, notable return on equity, expanding profit margins and good cash flow from operations. Although the company may harbor some minor weaknesses, we feel they are unlikely to have a significant impact on results. Get the full Texas Instruments Ratings Report now.

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